The Drone Center’s Weekly Roundup: 4/10/17

Verizon and American Aerospace Technologies tested a drone designed to provide network coverage in emergencies. Credit: Verizon

April 3, 2017 – April 9, 2017

Public Safety Drones

Police and first responder drones were once a sci-fi fantasy; now they are a reality, appearing with increasing frequency in cities and towns throughout the U.S. In a new study, we have identified nearly 350 police, sheriff, fire, and other public safety agencies in 43 states that have acquired drones in recent years. These drones provide users with a range of opportunities to carry out their missions more safely and effectively than by other means, but they also raise concerns about surveillance and safety.

News

The U.S. military carried out at least 20 air strikes in Yemen in early April. According to a statement by the Department of Defense, the majority of the strikes were carried out by drones targeting members of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula. (Long War Journal)

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has banned private and commercial drone operators from flying over 133 military facilities around the country. The restrictions were enacted at the request of the Department of Defense and other U.S. security agencies. (Associated Press)

The U.K. has suspended its campaign of drone strikes against the Islamic State. According to data released by the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force has not conducted any strikes with its MQ-9 Reapers in the past month. The Reapers continue to serve in a reconnaissance and surveillance role. (IHS Jane’s 360)

The U.S. Air Force awarded URS Federal Services a $3.6 billion contract for remotely piloted aircraft services. The Maryland-based company will provide support for testing and training for drone operations in Nevada. The contract, one of the largest drone-related deals in recent years, will stand through 2034. (UPI)

At the Drive, Joseph Trevithick writes that the U.S. military is still training Ukrainian soldiers to fly the RQ-11B Raven drone in spite of reports that Ukraine has ceased using the drone in the field.

At the Strategy Bridge, Elsa B. Kania looks at how China’s military seeks to gain a technological advantage over the U.S. through investment in drones and artificial intelligence.

Police in Redwood City, California issued an arrest warrant for a 55-year-old drone operator who allegedly interfered with a rescue operation. (Fox 2)

Industry Intel

The U.S. Army awarded Leidos, AASKI Technologies, and AAI Corp/Textron a shared $900 million contract for technical services and field support for the Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Product Office. (DoD)

The U.S. Navy awarded Textron a $14.8 million contract for two fourth-generation Common Unmanned Surface Vehicles. Textron will deliver the systems by 2018. (Marine Technology News)

For updates, news, and commentary, follow us on Twitter. The Weekly Drone Roundup is a newsletter from the Center for the Study of the Drone. It covers news, commentary, analysis and technology from the drone world. You can subscribe to the Roundup here.